Modular furniture system and method of assembly

ABSTRACT

A modular furniture system includes opposing sidewalls for mounting one or more stationary or slideable components. Each sidewall includes a plurality of pairs of holes for mounting the stationary or slideable component that are aligned with corresponding holes in the opposing sidewall. A first set of mounting pins has a first end adapted to be press-fit into the holes in the opposing sidewalls and a second end adapted to support the stationary component. A second set of mounting pins has a first end adapted to be press-fit into the holes in the opposing sidewalls and a second end connected to an outer slide member for slidably mounting the slidable component. The first end of the first and second set of mounting pins is the same such that the stationary component and the slidable component are interchangeably mounted in the holes in the opposing sidewalls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to modular furniture and, moreparticularly, to slides for mounting slidable components, such asdrawers or sliding shelves, in modular furniture.

Many modular furniture systems include opposing sidewalls that eachinclude pre-formed, spaced holes into which mounting hardware isinstalled to support various furniture components, such as shelving anddrawers, between the opposing sidewalls. Generally, pairs ofhorizontally aligned holes are formed in both the left and rightsidewalls such that when the left and right sidewalls are assembled, thepairs of holes in the left sidewall are vertically aligned withcorresponding pairs of holes in the opposing right sidewall. Mountinghardware can be used to mount a furniture component to each of the leftand right sidewalls using the vertically aligned pairs of holes suchthat a furniture component can be supported level therebetween.

Slidable components, such as sliding drawers or shelves, can besupported between the opposing sidewalls on slides mounted to thesidewalls using the pairs of holes in each of the sidewalls. Theslidable components generally include rollers or rails that are receivedwithin outer slide members that are mounted opposite one another on theleft and right sidewalls. The outer slide members are typically securedto the opposing sidewalls using screws that are threaded into thepre-formed holes in the sidewalls.

In addition to drawers, some office furniture constructions includestationary shelves supported between opposing sidewalls. Mounting pinscan be inserted into a pair of holes in the left sidewall and acorresponding pair of holes in the opposing right sidewall to supportthe shelf level therebetween.

In the above described constructions, the location of the shelves may beadjusted by a user by moving the mounting pins to holes in the left andright sidewalls at different locations. However, adjustment of thelocation of the sliding drawers is often limited due to the manner inwhich the outer slide member is secured to the left and right sidewalls.The screws used to secure the outer slide member to the sidewalls oftendamage the inside of the hole as well as the surface of the sidewallsurrounding the holes. Movement of the outer slide member to a newlocation to relocate the sliding drawer may expose the damage caused bythe screws, which can be aesthetically undesirable. In addition, thescrews may damage and/or deform the interior of the holes such thatalternative mounting hardware, such as the shelf mounting pin, cannotsupport another furniture component at that location. Further,installing and removing screws requires special tools and can be timeconsuming for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned issues are addressed by the present embodiments ofthe invention in which a slide is configured such that it can be mountedinterchangeably with mounting pins used to mount stationary furniturecomponents, such as shelves, between opposing sidewalls of a modularfurniture system. The modular furniture system includes opposingsidewalls each having pairs of horizontally aligned holes thatvertically align with pairs of holes in the opposing sidewall to supporta furniture component level therebetween. The holes can be configured tointerchangeably support shelf mounting pins and outer slide members toallow for customization of stationary and slidable furniture components.The ability to reposition stationary and/or slidable components providesa user with enhanced flexibility and customization of the modularfurniture system.

According to an embodiment, a modular furniture system includes firstand second sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a storagespace therebetween. The first sidewall can include a plurality of pairsof holes that are aligned with corresponding pairs of holes in thesecond sidewall. First and second slides can be provided which areadapted to mount a slideable component between the first and secondsidewalls. Each of the first and second slides can include an outerslide member having an outer surface adapted to be mounted adjacent oneof the first and second sidewalls and an opposing inner surface defininga channel. An inner slide member can be mounted to the slideablecomponent and is adapted to be received within the channel for slidingmovement relative to the outer slide member. A pair of slide mountingpins can project from the outer surface of the outer slide member. Themounting pins can be received within the pairs of holes for mounting thefirst and second slides to respective first and second sidewalls. Asupport element can extend between the outer slide members of the firstand second slides. The support element can have a length sufficient tomaintain the outer slide members adjacent the respective first andsecond sidewalls. The slide mounting pins can be press-fit into thepairs of holes for mounting the slideable component to the first andsecond sidewalls and are interchangeable with mounting pins adapted tosupport a stationary component relative to the first and secondsidewalls.

In another embodiment, a modular furniture system includes first andsecond sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a storage spacetherebetween. The first sidewall can include a plurality of pairs ofholes that are vertically aligned with corresponding pairs of holes inthe second sidewall. A stationary shelf and a slidable component areadapted to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls. A firstset of mounting pins includes a first end adapted to be press-fit into apair of holes in the first and second sidewalls and a second end adaptedto support a stationary component. A second set of mounting pinsincludes a first end adapted to be press-fit into a pair of holes in thefirst and second sidewalls and a second end connected to an outer slidemember. The outer slide member is adapted to receive an inner slidemember mounted to the slidable component for sliding movement of theslideable component relative to the outer slide member. The stationarycomponent can be mounted between the first and second sidewalls byinstalling the first set of mounting pins in vertically aligned pairs ofholes in each of the first and second sidewalls. The slideable componentcan be mounted between the first and second sidewalls by installing thesecond set of mounting pins in vertically aligned pairs of holes in eachof the first and second sidewalls. The first end of the first set ofmounting pins can be the same as the first end of the second set ofmounting pins such that the stationary component and the slidablecomponent are interchangeably mounted in the pairs of holes in the firstand second sidewalls.

In another embodiment, a method of assembling a modular furniture systemis provided. The modular furniture system includes first and secondsidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a storage spacetherebetween. The first sidewall can include a plurality of pairs ofholes that are vertically aligned with corresponding pairs of holes inthe second sidewall. The method can include providing a stationarycomponent adapted to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls.A slideable component adapted to be mounted between the first and secondsidewalls is also provided. A first pair of mounting pins is insertedinto a pair of holes in the first sidewall and a second pair of mountingpins is inserted into a corresponding pair of holes in the secondsidewall. Each of the mounting pins includes a first end adapted to bepress-fit into the holes and a second end adapted to support thestationary component. A first pair of slide mounting pins can beinserted into a pair of holes in the first sidewall and a second pair ofslide mounting pins can be inserted into a corresponding pair of holesin the second sidewall. Each of the slide mounting pins can include afirst end adapted to be press-fit into the holes and a second endconnected to an outer slide member. The outer slide member is adapted toreceive an inner slide member mounted to the slideable component forsliding movement of the slidable component relative to the outer slidemember. The first end of the mounting pin can be the same as the firstend of the slide mounting pin such that the stationary component and theslidable component are interchangeably mounted in the pairs of holes inthe first and second sidewalls.

These and other advantages and features of the invention will be morefully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of thecurrent embodiments and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular furniture system according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of a part of the modular furnituresystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an outer slide member according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the outer slide member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a modular furniture system illustrating amethod of assembling according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a slide according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of an outer slide member accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of the outer slide member of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of an outer slide member accordingto an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8B is a rear perspective view of the outer slide member of FIG. 8A.

DESCRIPTION I. Structure

The current embodiments relate to a modular furniture system in which aslide for mounting slidable furniture components can be interchangeablymounted with hardware used to mount stationary furniture components. Amodular furniture system in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in the drawings and designated 10.

While the modular furniture system 10 is illustrated and described inthe context of a single furniture unit, it will be understood that theembodiments of the invention may include multiple furniture units thatare different or the same. As used herein, a “furniture unit” refers toan assembly of at least two sidewalls defining at least one storagearea. The storage area may be an undivided or divided space. Furnitureunits having the same or different dimensions and features may becombined as desired to provide a system that satisfies the desiredstorage and space requirements.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the modular furniture system 10includes a furniture unit 12 having opposing first and second sidewalls14 and 16 defining a storage area that is divided by an intermediatesidewall 18 into storage areas 20 and 22. As illustrated in FIG. 1,first sidewall 14 and intermediate sidewall 18 define the first storagearea 20 while second sidewall 16 and intermediate sidewall 18 define thesecond storage area 22. The furniture unit 12 optionally includes a toppanel 28, a bottom panel 30, and/or a rear panel 32 defining the storageareas 20, 22.

Each of the first, second, and intermediate sidewalls 14, 16, and 18include pairs of holes 14 a, 16 a, and 18 a horizontally aligned in arow for supporting hardware used to mount furniture components, such asdrawers and shelves. The number of pairs of holes 14 a, 16 a, and 18 a,their dimensions, and their spacing can be configured as desired. Theintermediate sidewall 18 can include pairs of holes 18 a and 18 a′ (notshown) on both sides of sidewall 18 for supporting components in both ofthe storage areas 20 and 22. The pairs of holes 14 a, 16 a, and 18 a areconfigured such that when the sidewalls 14, 16, and 18 are assembled,each pair of holes 14 a, 16 a, and 18 a is vertically aligned with acorresponding pair of holes 14 a, 16 a, or 18 a in the opposing sidewall14, 16, and 18. In this manner, a first set of hardware mounted in apair of holes 14 a, 16 a, and 18 a and a second set of hardware mountedin a corresponding, vertically aligned pair of holes 14 a, 16 a, or 18 ain the opposing sidewall 14, 16, and 18 can support a furniturecomponent level between the opposing sidewalls 14, 16, and 18.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, furniture unit 12 can include one ormore slidable components 40 and one or more stationary components 42.The slideable component 40 can be in the form of a drawer, asillustrated, or other slideable structure, non-limiting examples ofwhich include a sliding shelf and a sliding basket. The stationarycomponent 42 can be in the form of a shelf or other stationarycomponent, such as a stationary tray. While FIG. 2 illustrates a singledrawer 40 and a single shelf 42, it will be understood that anycombination of drawers, shelves, and other components may be provided ineither or both of the storage areas 20, 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the drawer 40 is mounted to the adjacent firstsidewall 14 and intermediate sidewall 18 by a pair of slides 50. Eachslide 50 includes an inner slide member 52 that adapted to be mounted tothe drawer 40 and an outer slide 54 that is adapted to be mounted to theadjacent sidewall 14 and 18. The inner slide member 52 is configured forsliding movement relative to the outer slide member 54 for movement ofthe drawer 40 between a retracted, closed position (FIG. 1) and anextended, open position (not shown). The inner and outer slide members52 and 54 may be configured for relative sliding movement according toany known slide design, non-limiting examples of which include a ballbearing slide (shown), a roller slide, and an under-mount slide.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the shelf 42 is supported between thesidewalls 14 and 18 by a set of shelf mounting pins 60. Each shelfmounting pin 60 includes a first end 62 that is adapted to be press-fitwithin the holes 14 a, 16 a, 18 a and a second end 64 that is adapted tosupport the shelf 42. The shelf 42 can include recesses 66 adapted toreceive the shelf mounting pin second end 64 therein for mounting theshelf 42 to the adjacent sidewall 14, 18. The second end 64 may have anydesired shape for engaging the shelf 42. For example, the second end 64may have a shape configured to support the shelf 42 thereon, such as aflat, ledge portion. In another example, the second end 64 may berounded and optionally received within the recess 66. The second end 64and shelf 42 may be configured such that an underside of the shelf 42rests upon the second end 64 or such that at least a portion of thesecond end 64 is inserted within the body of the shelf 42.

Optionally, a support element 68 is provided for use with the slides 50.The support element 68 can be in the form of a rod or bar havingsufficient length to extend between the outer slide members 54 when theouter slide members 54 are mounted to opposing sidewalls 14, 18. Thesupport element 68 can be configured to be press-fit between the mountedouter slide members 54 to prevent the outer slide members 54 fromfalling out or un-mounting when the drawer 40 is pulled out into a fullyextended position. However, if the drawer 40 and/or slides 50 include astop for preventing the drawer 40 from being pulled into a fullyextended position, the optional support element 68 may not be needed, asthe drawer 40 will prevent the outer slide members 54 from withdrawingfrom the sidewalls. The outer slide members 54 optionally include anaperture or groove for receiving an end of the support element 68 tofacilitate mounting the support element 68 between the opposing outerslide members 54. Alternatively, rather than being press-fit betweenopposing outer slide members 54, the support element 68 may be mountedat each end to the adjacent outer slide member through a snap-fitconnection.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, one of the outer slide members 54 isillustrated. While the embodiment is described in the context of asingle outer slide member 54 for mounting the drawer 40 to the sidewall18, it is understood that outer slide member 54 for mounting the drawer40 to the opposing sidewall 14 is similar in design and function.Generally, slide components for mounting on the left and the right sidesof the drawer 40 may be identical or mirror images of one another.

Outer slide member 54 includes a body 70 from which extend a pair ofopposing legs 72, 74. The legs 72, 74 and an inner surface of the body70 together define a channel 76 adapted to receive the inner slidemember 52 (FIG. 2) for sliding movement therein. While the channel 76 isdefined by top and bottom legs 72, 74, the channel 76 may optionally bedefined by a single leg 72, 74.

Outer slide member 54 also includes a slide mounting pin 80 having afirst end 82 adapted to be press-fit within the holes 14 a, 16 a, 18 afor mounting the outer slide member 54 to one of the sidewalls 14, 16,and 18 and a second end formed by the body 70. The slide mounting pinfirst end 82 projects from an outer surface of the body 70 in adirection opposite of the legs 72, 74. The outer slide member 54 caninclude first and second slide mounting pins 80 spaced along the body 70such that the mounting pins 80 align with the pairs of holes 14 a, 16 a,and 18 a in the sidewalls 14, 16, and 18.

The slide mounting pins 80 can be formed integrally with the body 70 ofthe outer slider member 54 or connected thereto and may be made from thesame or different material as the body 70. For example, the slidemounting pin 80 can be welded to the body 70, press-fit through a pairof apertures formed in the body 70, or swage set in the body 70. Thebody 70 and/or slide mounting pins 80 can be made from any metal orpolymeric material, non-limiting examples of which include steel,aluminum, and plastic.

II. Assembly

An exemplary method of assembling the modular furniture system 10 usingthe shelf mounting pins 60 and slide mounting pins 80 is now described.While the method of assembly is described in the context of sidewalls 14and 18, it will be understood that the method of assembly can be used ina similar way to mount stationary and slidable components in storagearea 22 between sidewalls 18 and 16.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a method for assembling the drawer 40 andshelf 42 between sidewalls 14 and 18 is illustrated schematically.Additional components, such as the top, bottom, and rear panels 28, 30,and 32, respectively, are not shown for the sake of simplicity. It willbe understood that mounting of the drawer 40 and/or shelf 42 can occurbefore or after assembly of additional components of the modularfurniture system 10, such as the top, bottom, and rear panels 28, 30,and 32.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the drawer 40 can be assembled with thesidewalls 14, 18 by mounting one of the outer slide members 54 on eachsidewall 14, 18. To mount the outer slide member 54, the user selectsone of the pairs of holes 18 a in the sidewall 18 corresponding to theheight at which the user desires the drawer 40 to be installed andinserts the slide mounting pins 80 into the selected pair of holes 18 a.The user presses the body 70 toward the sidewall 18 to install the firstend 82 of the slide mounting pins 80 within the holes 18 a. The processis repeated for installing the outer slide member 54 into the opposingsidewall 14 in a pair of holes corresponding to the same height at whichthe outer slide member 54 is mounted in the sidewall 18. The inner slidemembers 52 can be mounted to the drawer 40 in a conventional manner, forexample using one or more screws, and the inner slide members 52 arethen mated with the mounted outer slide members 54 for installing thedrawer 40 between the sidewalls 14, 18.

Optionally, the support element 68 is installed between the outer slidemembers 54 installed in opposing sidewalls 14, 18. The support element68 has sufficient length to press the outer slide members 54 toward theadjacent sidewall 14, 18. The support element 68 prevents the mountingpins 80 from completely withdrawing from the holes 18 a, 14 a in theevent that the drawer 40 is pulled into the fully extended (open)position or is removed. The support element 68 can be installed prior toinserting the drawer 40 or subsequent to inserting the drawer 40, suchas by accessing a rear of the unit 12.

To mount the stationary shelf 42, the shelf mounting pins 60 areinserted into a pair of holes 18 a in the sidewall 18 at a locationcorresponding to the desired height for the shelf 42. The first end 62of each shelf mounting pin 60 is pressed into the selected hole 18 a toa degree sufficient to support the shelf 42. Shelf mounting pins 60 arealso inserted into a corresponding pair of holes in the sidewall 14 thatare vertically aligned with the holes 18 a in the sidewall 18 into whichthe shelf mounting pins 60 are installed. In this manner, the shelf 42can be supported level between the sidewalls 14 and 18 by the shelfmounting pins 60 installed in each sidewall 14, 18.

Subsequent to the installation of the drawer 40 and/or the shelf 42, therelative location of each can be changed in a similar manner. To changethe vertical location of the shelf 42 between the sidewalls 14, 18, theshelf 42 can be removed and the shelf mounting pins 60 withdrawn fromthe holes 14 a, 18 a. The shelf mounting pins 60 may then be insertedinto different sets of aligned pairs of holes 14 a, 18 a in each of thesidewalls 14, 18 to install the shelf 42 at a different height.

The vertical location of the drawer 40 can be changed by removing thedrawer 40 and then the optional support element 68 and each of the outerslide members 54. The outer slide members 54 are removed by pulling thebody 70 away from the adjacent sidewall 14, 18 to withdraw the mountingpins 80 from within the holes 14 a, 18 a. The outer slide members 54 canthen be re-installed at a different height by selecting a different setof vertically aligned pairs of holes 14 a, 18 a in the same manner asdescribed above.

The first ends 62 and 82 of the shelf mounting pin 60 and slide mountingpin 80, respectively, are similar and thus the stationary shelf 42 andthe drawer 40 can be interchangeably installed between the sidewalls 14,18. The first ends 62 and 82 of the shelf mounting pin 60 and slidemounting pin 80 can be press-fit into the same holes 14 a, 18 a in thesidewalls 14, 18 without damaging the holes 14 a, 18 a or the adjacentportions of the sidewalls 14, 18. The manner in which both the drawer 40and the shelf 42 are mounted to the sidewalls 14, 18 provides the userwith flexibility to customize and to change the location and type ofcomponents installed in the unit 12. The shelf mounting pin 60 and slidemounting pin 80 may be made from the same or different materials,however, regardless of the material used, the first ends 62 and 82 ofthe shelf mounting pin 60 and slide mounting pin 80 are configured forinterchangeable mounting within the holes 14 a, 16 a, 18 a in thesidewalls 14, 16, and 18.

In addition, both the shelf mounting pin 60 and the slide mounting pin80 can be installed without tools, thus simplifying the installationprocess. This also allows the user to change the configuration of thedrawer 40 and/or shelf 42 or mount a new component, such as a slidingshelf, without requiring the user to locate a particular tool.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7A-B, and 8A-B, the slide mounting pins 80 canbe utilized on any type of outer slide member. For example, FIG. 6illustrates a heavy duty ball bearing slide 150 having an outer slidemember 154 that includes slide mounting pins 180 for mounting the outerslide member 154 to the sidewalls 14, 18. FIGS. 7A-B illustrate a rollerslide 250 having an outer slide member 254 including slide mounting pins280 for mounting the outer slide member 254 to the sidewalls 14, 18.FIGS. 8A-B illustrate an under-mount slide 350 including an outer slidemember 354 having slide mounting pins 380 for mounting the outer slidemember 354 to the sidewalls 14, 18. All of the outer slide members 154,254, and 354 can be mounted to the sidewalls 14, 18 in a manner similarto that described above for the outer slide member 54. In addition, theouter slide members 154, 254, and 354 may be installed interchangeablywith the outer slide member 54 and the shelf mounting pins 60. Theslideable component 40 can be configured to include an inner slidemember that mates with the outer slide member 154, 254, and 354 forrelative sliding movement in a conventional manner.

Modular furniture systems that utilize sidewalls having pairs of alignedholes for mounting components typically mount the outer slide members tothe sidewalls using screws that are threaded into the holes. Threadingthe screws into the holes disturbs the interior surface defining thehole cavity and can even damage the surface of the sidewall adjacent thehole. This type of mounting system can limit the ability of a user tochange the location of the drawer without revealing the damage, whichmay be aesthetically unpleasing. In addition, the damage to the interiorsurface of the hole cavity may prevent stably installing a shelfmounting pin into the hole, thus limiting the user's ability to installa shelf at the former location of the drawer. In addition, thechallenges present in installing slidable components often leadsmanufacturers to offer furniture units with the slideable components inpre-configured positions that are often not reconfigurable.

In contrast, the outer slide member 54 described herein includes a slidemounting pin 80 that has a first end 82 that is the same as the firstend 62 of the shelf mounting pin 60, thus allowing the slide mountingpin 80 and the shelf mounting pin 60 to be interchangeably installedwithin the same mounting holes. Thus, each sidewall 14, 16, and 18 onlyneeds to include a single set of holes for mounting both stationary andslidable components. Both the slide mounting pin 80 and the shelfmounting pin 60 are installed in the same manner by press-fitting thefirst end 82, 62 into a hole and can be removed in a similar mannerwithout damage to the hole or surrounding sidewall surface. This allowsthe user to customize the location of the drawer 40 and the shelf 42 andeven to switch their location. The slide mounting pin 80 can be includedon any type of outer slide member, providing the user with flexibilityin selecting the type of slide to install or changing the type of slidebased on the user's storage needs.

Other conventional methods for mounting drawers utilize clips that arestamped or formed in the outer slide member. However, this type ofsystem limits the material to which the outer slide member can bemounted to metal, thus decreasing the user's options for materials andaesthetics. In contrast, the embodiments of the current invention can beused with both wood and metal furniture units.

This disclosure should not be interpreted as an exhaustive descriptionof all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claimsto the specific elements illustrated or described in connection withthese embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individualelement of the described invention may be replaced by one or morealternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality orotherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example,presently known alternative elements, such as those that might becurrently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements thatmay be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in theart might, upon development, recognize as an alternative.

The invention is not limited to the details of operation or to thedetails of construction and the arrangement of the components set forthin the above description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventionmay be implemented in various other embodiments and practiced or carriedout in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein.

The phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may beused in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwiseexpressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed aslimiting the invention to any specific order or number of components.Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from thescope of the invention any additional steps or components that might becombined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

The disclosed embodiment includes a plurality of features that aredescribed in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collectionof benefits. The present invention is not limited to only thoseembodiments that include all of these features or that provide all ofthe stated benefits.

Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using thearticles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limitingthe element to the singular.

Directional terms, such as “front,” “back,” “vertical,” “horizontal,”“top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and“outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on theorientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use ofdirectional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention toany specific orientation.

1. A modular furniture system comprising: first and second sidewallsspaced apart from each other to define a storage space therebetween, thefirst sidewall including a plurality of pairs of holes that are alignedwith corresponding pairs of holes in the second sidewall; first andsecond slides adapted to mount a slideable component between the firstand second sidewalls, each of the first and second slides comprising: anouter slide member having an outer surface adapted to be mountedadjacent one of the first and second sidewalls and an opposing innersurface defining a channel; an inner slide member mounted to theslideable component and adapted to be received within the channel forsliding movement relative to the outer slide member; and a pair of slidemounting pins projecting from the outer surface of the outer slidemember, the slide mounting pins adapted to be received within the pairsof holes for mounting the first and second slides to respective firstand second sidewalls; and a support element extending between the outerslide members of the first and second slides, the support element havinga length sufficient to maintain the outer slide members adjacent therespective first and second sidewalls, and wherein the slide mountingpins are press-fit into the pairs of holes for mounting the slideablecomponent to the first and second sidewalls and are interchangeable withmounting pins adapted to support a stationary component relative to thefirst and second sidewalls.
 2. The modular furniture system of claim 1wherein the inner slide member is one of a ball bearing slide and aroller slide.
 3. The modular furniture system of claim 1 wherein theslideable component is one of a drawer and a sliding shelf.
 4. Themodular furniture system of claim 1 wherein the pair of slide mountingpins are one of integrally formed with the outer slide member, welded tothe outer slide member, press-fit through a pair of apertures in theouter slide member, and swage set in the outer slide member.
 5. Themodular furniture system of claim 1 wherein the inner slide is one ofside-mounted and under-mounted on the slidable component.
 6. A modularfurniture system comprising: first and second sidewalls spaced apartfrom each other to define a storage space therebetween, the firstsidewall including a plurality of pairs of holes that are verticallyaligned with corresponding pairs of holes in the second sidewall; astationary component adapted to be mounted between the first and secondsidewalls; a slideable component adapted to be mounted between the firstand second sidewalls; a first set of mounting pins having a first endadapted to be press-fit into a pair of holes in the first and secondsidewalls and a second end adapted to support a stationary component;and a second set of mounting pins having a first end adapted to bepress-fit into a pair of holes in the first and second sidewalls and asecond end connected to an outer slide member, the outer slide memberadapted to receive an inner slide member mounted to the slidablecomponent for sliding movement of the slideable component relative tothe outer slide member, and wherein the stationary component is mountedbetween the first and second sidewalls by installing the first set ofmounting pins in vertically aligned pairs of holes in each of the firstand second sidewalls, wherein the slideable component is mounted betweenthe first and second sidewalls by installing the second set of mountingpins in vertically aligned pairs of holes in each of the first andsecond sidewalls, and wherein the first end of the first set of mountingpins is the same as the first end of the second set of mounting pinssuch that the stationary component and the slidable component areinterchangeably mounted in the pairs of holes in the first and secondsidewalls.
 7. The modular furniture system of claim 6 wherein theslideable component is one of a drawer and a sliding shelf.
 8. Themodular furniture system of claim 6 wherein a pair of the second set ofmounting pins is one of integrally formed with the outer slide member,welded to the outer slide member, press-fit through a pair of aperturesin the outer slide member, and swage set in the outer slide member. 9.The modular furniture system of claim 6 wherein the inner slide is oneof side-mounted and under-mounted on the slidable component.
 10. Themodular furniture system of claim 6 wherein the inner slide member isone of a ball bearing slide and a roller slide.
 11. The modularfurniture system of claim 6 wherein the first and second sets ofmounting pins are made from one of steel, aluminum, and plastic.
 12. Themodular furniture system of claim 6 wherein: a first outer slide memberis mounted to the first sidewall and a second outer slide member ismounted to the second sidewall for supporting the slideable componentbetween the first and second sidewalls; and a support element extendsbetween the first and second outer slide members and has a lengthsufficient to maintain the first and second outer slide members adjacentthe respective first and second sidewalls.
 13. A method of assembling amodular furniture system comprising first and second sidewalls spacedapart from each other to define a storage space therebetween, the firstsidewall including a plurality of pairs of holes that are verticallyaligned with corresponding pairs of holes in the second sidewall, themethod comprising: providing a stationary component adapted to bemounted between the first and second sidewalls; providing a slideablecomponent adapted to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls;inserting a first pair of shelf mounting pins into a pair of holes inthe first sidewall and a second pair of shelf mounting pins into acorresponding pair of holes in the second sidewall, each of the shelfmounting pins having a first end adapted to be press-fit into the holesand a second end adapted to support the stationary component; andinserting a first pair of slide mounting pins into a pair of holes inthe first sidewall and a second pair of slide mounting pins into acorresponding pair of holes in the second sidewall, each of the slidemounting pins having a first end adapted to be press-fit into the holesand a second end connected to an outer slide member, the outer slidemember adapted to receive an inner slide member mounted to the slideablecomponent for sliding movement of the slidable component relative to theouter slide member, and wherein the first end of the mounting pin is thesame as the first end of the slide mounting pin such that the stationarycomponent and the slidable component are interchangeably mounted in thepairs of holes in the first and second sidewalls.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 comprising inserting a support element between the outer slidemember mounted to the first sidewall and the outer slide member mountedto the second sidewall.
 15. The method of claim 13 comprising repeatingthe steps of inserting a first and second pair of mounting pins for eachstationary component to be mounted between the first and secondsidewalls.
 16. The method of claim 13 comprising repeating the steps ofinserting a first and second pair of slide mounting pins for eachslideable component to be mounted between the first and secondsidewalls.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the slideable component isone of a drawer and a sliding shelf.
 18. The method of claim 13 whereinthe first and second pair of slide mounting pins are one of integrallyformed with the outer slide member, welded to the outer slide member,press-fit through a pair of apertures in the outer slide member, andswage set in the outer slide member.
 19. The method of claim 13 whereinthe inner slides are one of side-mounted and under-mounted on theslideable component.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the inner slidemember is one of a ball bearing slide and a roller slide.